Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

Problem-Solving01:29

Problem-Solving

358
Effective problem-solving consists of two steps: 1. identifying the problem and 2. selecting the appropriate problem-solving strategy (i.e., a plan of action used to find a solution). Humans use four problem-solving strategies:
358
Trial and Error and Algorithm01:12

Trial and Error and Algorithm

276
A problem-solving strategy is a plan of action used to find a solution. Different strategies have distinct action plans. Trial and error involves trying different solutions until one works. For instance, to fix a broken printer, you might check ink levels, ensure the paper tray isn't jammed, and verify the printer's connection to your laptop. This method can be time-consuming but is commonly used. Thomas Edison, for example, used trial and error to find a suitable filament for the light...
276
Metacognition01:26

Metacognition

454
Metacognition is a conscious process where individuals are aware of their cognitive and executive processes, such as planning before solving a problem or self-monitoring during reading. For instance, a writer may need help with composing a piece. The situation involves a writer who is working on a piece of writing, but while doing so, they realize that something is missing. They notice that their characters lack depth or details. This realization occurs because the writer is reflecting on their...
454
Solving Problems in Physics02:32

Solving Problems in Physics

7.9K
Problem-solving is the ability to apply general physical principles to specific situations, usually expressed by equations. It is an essential skill in physics, and can also be useful for applying physics in everyday life as well. Analytical skills and problem-solving abilities can be applied to new situations, compared to a list of facts, which can never be extensive enough to include every possible circumstance. To solve physics problems, a certain amount of creativity and insight is...
7.9K
Heuristics01:21

Heuristics

256
Heuristics are problem-solving strategies that use mental shortcuts to simplify decision-making. Unlike algorithms, which must be followed precisely to achieve a correct result, heuristics offer a general problem-solving framework. They save time and energy but can sometimes lead to less rational decisions.
People often rely on heuristics when faced with an overload of information, limited time, low importance of the decision, limited information, or when a heuristic readily comes to mind. For...
256
Coping Strategies: Problem Focused01:27

Coping Strategies: Problem Focused

268
Coping strategies are methods people use to manage, tolerate, or reduce the effects of stressors. These strategies involve both behavioral and psychological actions to handle stressful situations. One common approach is problem-focused coping, which aims to change or eliminate the source of stress rather than merely addressing its consequences. This method involves taking direct action to resolve the issue causing stress.
For example, consider a student who struggles to understand their...
268

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Developing Faculty Developers: An Underexplored Realm in Professional Development.

The Journal of continuing education in the health professions·2023
Same author

The prostate in women: an updated histological and immunohistochemical profile of the female periurethral glands and their relationship to an implanted midurethral sling.

The journal of sexual medicine·2023
Same author

Activity and participation experiences of people with disabilities in Ethiopia.

African journal of disability·2022
Same author

Developing a Curriculum for Addressing the Opioid Crisis: A National Collaborative Process.

Journal of medical education and curricular development·2022
Same author

Immunohistochemical Investigation of Autonomic and Sensory Innervation of Anterior Vaginal Wall Female Periurethral Tissue: A Study of the Surgical Field of Mid-Urethral Sling Surgery Using Cadaveric Simulation.

The journal of sexual medicine·2021
Same author

Viewing faculty development through an organizational lens: Sharing lessons learned.

Medical teacher·2021

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Nov 26, 2025

Problem-Solving Before Instruction PS-I: A Protocol for Assessment and Intervention in Students with Different Abilities
10:26

Problem-Solving Before Instruction PS-I: A Protocol for Assessment and Intervention in Students with Different Abilities

Published on: September 11, 2021

4.2K

Problem-solving strategies used in anatomical multiple-choice questions.

Klodiana Kolomitro1,2, Leslie W MacKenzie2, Mackenzie Lockridge2

  • 1Office of Professional Development and Educational Scholarship Faculty of Health Sciences, Queen's University Kingston Ontario Canada.

Health Science Reports
|December 11, 2020
PubMed
Summary

Students use various strategies to solve anatomy multiple-choice questions (MCQ). Making personal connections aids success across cognitive levels, highlighting the need for educators to make learning visible.

Keywords:
assessmenthigher order thinkingmultiple‐choice questionsthink‐aloud

More Related Videos

The Innovation Arena: A Method for Comparing Innovative Problem-Solving Across Groups
14:14

The Innovation Arena: A Method for Comparing Innovative Problem-Solving Across Groups

Published on: May 13, 2022

6.2K
SpOT the Correct Tissue Every Time in Multi-tissue Blocks
06:53

SpOT the Correct Tissue Every Time in Multi-tissue Blocks

Published on: May 31, 2015

12.1K

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Nov 26, 2025

Problem-Solving Before Instruction PS-I: A Protocol for Assessment and Intervention in Students with Different Abilities
10:26

Problem-Solving Before Instruction PS-I: A Protocol for Assessment and Intervention in Students with Different Abilities

Published on: September 11, 2021

4.2K
The Innovation Arena: A Method for Comparing Innovative Problem-Solving Across Groups
14:14

The Innovation Arena: A Method for Comparing Innovative Problem-Solving Across Groups

Published on: May 13, 2022

6.2K
SpOT the Correct Tissue Every Time in Multi-tissue Blocks
06:53

SpOT the Correct Tissue Every Time in Multi-tissue Blocks

Published on: May 31, 2015

12.1K

Area of Science:

  • Anatomical Sciences Education
  • Cognitive Psychology in Learning
  • Educational Assessment

Background:

  • Anatomy multiple-choice questions (MCQ) are often criticized for promoting rote memorization.
  • Designing effective MCQ requires understanding student problem-solving strategies.
  • This study investigates cognitive processes in anatomy MCQ to inform question design.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To uncover reasoning patterns and tactics students employ when solving anatomy MCQ.
  • To differentiate strategies used for higher-order versus lower-order questions.
  • To determine how these strategies impact correct answer probability.

Main Methods:

  • Developed MCQ aligned with the Ideas, Connections, Extensions (ICE) learning framework.
  • Utilized the think-aloud protocol with 92 undergraduate anatomy students.
  • Analyzed oral and written responses to identify problem-solving strategies.

Main Results:

  • Identified 16 distinct MCQ-solving strategies, with 11 supported by existing literature.
  • Visualizing and recalling were the most frequently used domain-specific strategies.
  • Personal connection emerged as a successful strategy across all ICE levels.

Conclusions:

  • Educators should use think-aloud protocols to make student learning processes visible.
  • Facilitating personal connections enhances knowledge integration and accurate retrieval.
  • This approach can lead to more effective anatomy MCQ design and learning.